Residents rally for justice after dog attacks

BRODHEADSVILLE, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Nearly a dozen residents in the Poconos gathered in court to make a plea for justice. They all testified about a pack of dangerous dogs terrorizing their community.

The Monroe County woman accused of letting her three vicious dogs terrorize a residential community did not show up to her preliminary hearing.

Even though Mary Jo Dredger was a no-show, her preliminary hearing still went on.

Caught on camera.

Three large dogs terrorizing the Sun Valley Community in Effort.

Police say these dogs have been destroying property, chasing residents, and attacking and killing pets, including melissa brown’s dog named Lady.

“She was attacked in our side yard just going outside to go pee, just minding her own dang business, and these three dogs just decided to come down and have her for lunch,” said Melissa Brown from Sun Valley.

Mary Jo Dredger is the named owner of these dogs, and she was arrested in connection to the concerns earlier this week. Police say another woman, Theresa Hancock, is also responsible for the dogs. Dredger was a no-show at her preliminary hearing Thursday morning, but many concerned residents came out.

“I don’t think that they deserve to be out and doing whatever, I don’t think they should ever have animals again, and I think that they should probably get some jail time this time,” said Taylor Herman from Effort.

This isn’t Dredger’s first incident with the law. Five years ago, she pleaded guilty to harboring three dangerous dogs.

“I’m really starting to get afraid we’re not going to get justice for our animals. I just, I don’t know. We give them all the evidence, the cop was given all the evidence, the warden, our pictures, our everything, and I just feel like we’re not going anywhere,” added Brown.

Hancock’s hearing was continued to next week. Dredger faces a slew of charges, and her next steps are yet to be announced.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.